The pieces that never really go out of style, and their surprising origins.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 2 November 2026
What are the classic wardrobe essentials?
| Piece | Where it came from |
|---|---|
| White T-shirt | A men’s undergarment, issued by the US Navy, made iconic by film stars in the 1950s |
| The shirt | Once men’s underwear, now the button-down and the oversized shirt |
| Jeans | Workwear patented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis in 1873 |
| Trench coat | Military rainwear associated with Burberry and Aquascutum |
| Polo shirt | Tennis and polo sportswear, popularised by René Lacoste and Ralph Lauren |
| Little black dress | Made modern by Chanel in 1926 |
| Leather jacket | Aviation and motorcycle wear |
| Tuxedo | Formal menswear, reinvented for women by Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking (1966) |
| Blazer | Sporting and naval jackets |
What is a capsule wardrobe?
A small collection of versatile pieces that all work together. The term is credited to the London boutique owner Susie Faux in the 1970s and was popularised by Donna Karan’s “Seven Easy Pieces” in 1985.
Read on Ayerhs: The White T-Shirt · The Shirt · Denim Jeans · The Trench Coat · The Polo Shirt · The Tuxedo · Buying a Leather Jacket · The little black dress